Christmas Day Reading

From The Second Testament, Luke 2:1-14 (May this be a fresh experience in reading the Christmas story)

Photo by Dan Kiefer on Unsplash

It happened in those days: A decree exited from Kaisar [Caesar] Augoustos for all the inhabited world to be registered. This was the first registration during Kurēnios’s [Quirinius’s] governing of Suria.

All journeyed to be registered, each to his own city. Yōsēf [Joseph] also ascended from the Galilaia [Galilee] from the city of Nazara [Nazareth] to Youdaia [Judea] to Dauid’s [David’s] city, which is called Bēth-le’em [Bethlehem], because he is from Dauid’s house and paternity to register with Mariam [Mary], who was engaged to him, being pregnant. It happened while they were there: the days were filled for her to birth, and she birthed her son, the firstborn, and she swaddled him and reclined him in a feeding trough because there was no place in the guest room.

Shepherds were in that region, living outdoors and staying on guard at night over their flock, and Lord’s envoy stood over them and Lord’s splendor shone around them, and they were awed with great awe. The envoy said to them, “Don’t be scared, for Look! I gospel to you great joy that will be for all the people because today a Deliverer, who is Lord Christos, has been birthed for you in Dauid’s city. This will be the authenticating sign for you: you will find an infant swaddled and lying in a feeding trough.” Unexpectedly, it happened with the envoy: a mass, a heavenly army, praising God and saying,

“Splendor in the highest places to God, and on the land, peace among Godpleased humans.”